Switch-stand.



E. M. ROB|NSON.

SWITCH STAND.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19, 1914.

I 1,218,956. Patented Mar. 13,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- ,5 6 JZ Z5 [1 El 54 I K NORRIS PEYIRS 00.. FNDTDJJTNKL. WASNING TUN- B. C I

E. M. ROBINSON. SWITCH STAND.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19. 1914.

1,218,956. Patented Mar. 13', 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m: are

mus PEYERS co.. PNOIGLI'IMQ. WASHING run. a c.

E; M. ROBINSON. SWITCH STAND. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19. [91 4- 1,21 8,956. Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I a m I l i I f g NW1, Hm, I I]; L: w i fl 1 .2102 1 EUGENE M. EoBINsoN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH-STAND.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented lViaf. 13, 1917.

Application filed March 19, 1914. Serial No. 825,808.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known'that I, EUGENE M. ROBINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Switch-Stands, of which the following is a specification.

My prior Patents Numbers 7 59,634, May 10, 190i and 778,306, December 27, 1904;, show a switch stand device for controlling a switch point and locking the same so that if there is any obstruction in the switch point so that the point does not move to proper closed position the switch lever on the switch stand cannot be moved to its normal closed position until that obstruction is removed. The device of said prior patents and others of its type require the installation in connection with a given switch point of a complete stand and mechanism, which is all right when new construction is being efiected, but there are on all railroads of the country a vast number of switch operating devices which are known as ordinary switch stands comprising a framework, a vertical shaft, a crank on said shaft and a connecting rod between said crank and the switch point.

The object of my invention here set forth is to provide an attachment to be used in connection with this type of common switch stand which, when applied with little or no alteration to the old form of switch stand, will give the combined device the same advantages above set forth which are present in said prior patents.

The invention consists in a device for carrying out the foregoing object which can be easily andcheaply made and installed, which is satisfactory in operation and not readily liable to get out of order. It further consists in the features and details of construction which hereafter appear in the specification and claims.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate this invention in its preferred form and a couple of modifications thereof,

Figure 1 is a vertical side view of a switch stand having the device of this invention applied thereto, the same being taken in section on the line 11 of Fig. 2. 1

Fig. 2 is a plan View partially in section 'illustrating the railroad track and switchpoint adjacent thereto and the device of this invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a changed position of certain parts of Fig. 2. i i

Fig. 3 is a sectional side view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2. V

Fig. 4 is a sectional. detail view taken on the line of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the locking 'mechanism of the preferred form of the device.

Fig. line 66 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the ends of the locking bars(see also Fig. 2).

Fig. 8 is a plan View of a modified cone struction of the device with the switch stand removed.

.Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of another modified construction. 7 I

In the drawings the conventional form of switchstand l2 resting on ties 14: is shown, the latter-carrying a track rail 16 and the switch point 18 of ordinary construction.

Pivotally mounted in the stand 12 is the ordinary mast 20 having at its bottom the crank arm 22 pivotally attached to the connecting rod 2%, whose opposite end is attached through the mechanism 26, well known in the art, to a switch point 18.

On the upper portion of the. stand frame 12 is a table 28 along whose upper surface travels a crank arm 80, to which is pivoted at 32 a handle or lever 34: adapted to drop at selected points in the position of the device into notches 36 in the table 28 for the purpose of securing'the switch point and attached parts in their open or closed position. The parts thus far described are merely conventional representations of mechanism -it8'50 engaging the crank pin 52 or some part attached thereto on the endof crank arm 22. The lug 46 lies within anfopen 6 is a sectional detail view on the.

spa-cein thestand so that as the crank arm 22 1s swung 1n the arc of a c rcle by the mast 7 20 through about ninety degrees the lug 46 and locking bar 44 can reciprocate to such extent required as hereafter described lengthwise of the case or housing 38. It will be seen that when the parts are in the position'of Fig. 2 the crank pin 52 lies in the portion 48 of the cam and that for a limited movement of the arm 22 through an are either side of the center line 83 will fully control and move the locking bar as. If, however, the crank arm 22 swings in a coun ter clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 2 the lock 46 and attached parts will shortly assume the position of Fig. 2 in which the crank pin has reached the cam surface50, and whileit'is free to travel in its normal position it does not in any way affect or move the lug L6 and locking bar 44:. The exact relationship of these cam faces will be more fully referred to hereafter.

The housing 38 is designed so that it may be used as either right or left in con- 'nection with any given switchstand and it is, therefore, provided at its opposite ends with transverse passageways 5i and 56. 1 In the drawings this mechanism is shown as applied to a right hand switch and accordingly the passageway 5% is occupied by the lockrod 58. in applying-the device to a left hand switch this rod 58 would pass through the passageway 56 and the passage 54 would be vacant.

The lock rod 58 is provided with a looking notch 60, clearly appearing in 'Fig. 7, in which the locking bar 4A is adapted to slide and travel under certain conditions. The notch 60 is of substantially the dimensions of the bar at so that the bar 44 can only move through the notch 60 when the locking rod 58 is in exactly the position with reference to the bar which appears in Figs.

2, 5 and 7.

The locking bar it is provided with double notches 62 and (i l in line with each other, which in the simplest embodiment of the device, forms the equivalent of the end of the bar 44; that is to say, in one form of operation of the device the bar 44 could be cut off on the line of these two notches. However, in order to provide for holding the bar 4A in such a position that when the crank 22 has traveled to the position of Fig. 2 and beyond in a' contraclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, the bar 4% cannot accidentally creep back to a position where the point 66 o the lug 46 will catch and obstruct the return movement of the crank pin 52, the projecting lug 68 is left on the end of the bar 44. This lug 68 is provided with a longitudinal face 70 and a diagonal face 7 2 hzfiving the functions which will appear herea ter.

In the construction at the opposite end of the bar 44 from that just described a perforation His provided for the rod 58 and the face 7 6 of the perforation takes the place of the transverse faces of the notches 66 and 6+ heretofore described, while the lug 7 8 takes the place of the lug 68 and thus lug 78 is provided with faces 80 and 82 corresponding to the faces 70 and 72 heretofore described.

In the operation of this form of the device, assume the parts to be in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, in which position the switch point 18 is in close proper contact with the rail 16 and the rod 58 is in the position shown in Fig. 7 so that the bar could not be moved from contact with the rail 16. r

The operator now takes hold of handle 3% and rotates it in a vertical plane about pivot 32 until it is out of notch 36 andclear ofv table 28. He then begins to rotate handle 3d and crank arm 30 in a horizontal plane in a counter clockwise direction about the mast 20, as viewed in Fig. 2. This movement of lever 34 of course correspondingly moves crank arm 22 and the initial movement is efiective to rapidly move locking bar r4. to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2,

thereby withdrawing the bar 4-4 sufficiently to the right so that rod 58 can enter notch 62 in the bar 44:. The; movement of arm 22 which effects this amount of movement of bar at theoretically moves the switchpoint'18 and consequently rod 58 but in actual practice themovement of rod 58 is so slight during this initial movement of bar 4% that the rod 58 doesnot in any way interfere with this movement of the bar. In actual practice what happens is that when the switch point and rail "are locked together by the parts in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 there exists a strain in the parts 22, 2st and 26 and when an initial scribed initial movement of the bar 44.

Suflicient clearness is also provided in the notch 60 so asto take care of this movement, as described. During this initial movement of the arm 22 pin 52' has been handle 3-1 and consequently arm 22 continues in the counter clockwise direction described bar 44; continues to move to the right and rod 58 continues to move transversely of said bar 4-1, and this movement continues until the pin 52 has moved entirely out of cam portion 18 onto cam face 50, in which position the end 72 of member 68 has been drawn entirely clear of the rod 58., As arm 22 continues to move along face 50 1 through and past the position of Fig. 2

rod 58 continues to move across the extreme outer end of lug (38 on bar s t. When the arm 22 has completed a ninety degree movement from the position shown in Figs. 1

and 2 the switch is fully open and the lug d6 is held from movement in the way of the return movement of the arm 22 by the fact that the end of the bar 44 bears against the rod 58. When the operator now desires to close the switch he reverses the movement of the handle 3% and the arm 22, with the result that the member 52 travels along the cam face through the position of Fi 2 until it enters the portion 48 of the cam face, when it begins to move the bar 14 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2. If there is no obstruction whatever between the switch point and the rail this movement can continue freely until the parts have returned to the position shown in Fig. 2, in which position it is possible for the operator to allow the handle 34 to drop into the notch 36, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and be there locked by ordinary mechanism well known in the art, not here shown. If there is any obstruction between the switch point and the rail said obstruction will prevent these two coming together in the position shown in the drawings, with the result that the bar 58 will be held in such position that the notch 62 strikes against the side of rod 58, thereby stopping movement of the arm 22 in the clockwise direction before the operator can drop the handle 3 1 into notch 36, thereby giving notice to the operator that he must remove the obstruction between the switch point and rail. which he has to do before he can return the parts to the normal position shown in the figures.

lVhen this stand is mounted and used as a left hand stand with the rod 58 through the passageway 72 exactly the same operation occurs as just described, the member 78 performing all the functions of the member 68 in the last described operation. In the locking bar 4:4 there is formed a transverse cam slot 86, in which is located a pin 88 upon a properly guided bar or rod 90. This rod 90 may be connected by proper mechanism, not shown or here other position indicate danger.

claimed, to some sort of a distant signal which will, in one position of the pin In slot 86, indicate safety for this particular switch stand and attached parts, and in au- It will be noticed that this mechanism has an advan tage in that if an accident happens to stano l2 knocking it over in any direction in which the member 52 is withdrawn from the bar +1 1 without any such breakage moving bar 1% the rail and switch point remain locked by the bar as being inside of the notch in rod 58, as shown in tie drawings. This is a distinct advantage over numerous prior constructions, where any break occurs the relationship of the locking bar and rod are always and necessarily so changed as tapermit the separz'ition'of the rail and switch point. I

Fig. 10 shows a modification of the device in which, instead of locating the bar is; to one side of the switch stand, it is mounted under the switch stand without changing the stand itself. In the construction shown in this figure a plate 102 is secured-to the ties 1% by suitable spikes 104: which may be the same spikes which secure the stand itself inposition but whi h are preferably independent spikes so that if the stand is drawn away in an accident the plate and attached parts about to be described will not be disturbed. v y

Suitably mounted in guides 106 on the plate 102 is a locking bar 108 corresponding in function to locking bar as heretofore described. Near the center of this bar 108 is a cam slot 110 corresponding in function and operation to the cam face 48 50 of the preferred construction except that, owing to the peculiar construction of the mechanism, it has to be parallel faced instead of single faced.

Mounted transversely of bar 108 and running through suitable guides 112 is a connecting rod 11l corresponding exactly in function to the rod 24 heretofore described, though instead of traveling in a varying path like an ordinary connecting rod it travels in a straight line through the guides 112. Because of the last mentioned feature of this rod 114 it is provided with an elongated cam slot 116. The slots 110 and 116 overlap each other, as shown,'so that when the switch stand 12-with attached parts, as heretofore described, is placed in position over the plate 102 the pin 52 on the end of position of Fig. 10, starts to move the crank arm 22 in a counter clockwise direction he causes the pin 52 to travel in both cam slots 110 and 116. As before, the initial movement of the pin 52 in slot 116 does not have any appreciable effect to move the rod 11st sufiiciently to move the switch point to affect the relationship of rod 58 to bar 108, with the result that bar 108 moves out of locking position with, reference to rod 58 before the rod begins to move. The upper portion of cam track 110 is drawn on the arc of a circle so that further movement of the pin 52 in a counter clockwise direction does not affect the bar 108 while said pin traveling in cam 116 causes the bar 58 to more in unison with the switch point, as before. The return movement of pin restores the parts to position shown in the figure as in the previous construction.

It will be noticed that, as in the previous construction, it an accident happens to the switch stand the pin 52 can be withdrawn from both cam slots 110 and 116 without changing the locked relation of the switch point and rail.

In Figs. 8 and 9 is'shown another modification of the device, in which a plate 122 substantially like plate 102 is used, the same moving longitudinally of it and bar 118interlocking the rod 58 exactly as bar 108 interlocks with said rod. l'iioving transversely of this plate 122 is a connecting rod 13% corresponding to rod 114. In the central portion of the rod 118 is a cam slot 130 of quite a diilerent shape but performing, except as hereafter noted, the same functions as slot 110. In the central portion of member 134 is a cam slot 136 differing in form but performing the same functions as cam slot 116. V

The essential dillerence between the construction of Figs. 8 and 10 lies in the fact that the pin 52 of Figs. 8 and 9 corresponding to pin 52 travels through a longer are than in the case of the construction of l 10 and also travels through said are on both sides of the central axis of the bar 118, with the result that instead of interlocking the members 118 and 58 in one extreme position of the pin 52 it interlocks them in both extreme positions.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, in combination with a rail and switchpoint reciprocatable to and from the rail, a locking rod movable with the switchpoint, a locking bar movable at an angle to the path of travel of said rod and intermeshing with it to, in one position of the bar, lock the switchpoint to the rail and in all other positions leave the switchpoint free to move, and a switch stand device located above'the bar provided with means for reciprocating the switchpoint, said reciprocating means intermittently engaging the locking bar to op-.

erate the same for the'purposes set forth, whereby the switchstand device may be ac cidentally removed without disturbing theone position of the bar, lock the switch point to the rail and in. all other positions leave the switch point free to move, a switch stand device located above the bar, a crank arm mountedin said switch stand and rotatable with reference thereto, means connected to said crank arm whereby the movement of the crank armreciprocates the switch point, and means whereby the crank arm in one portion of its movement engages the locking bar to operate'the same, the point at which the crank arm engagesthelocking bar, being so located that the locking and unlocking movement of the locking bar is effected while the switch point is in safe position with reference to the rail for the purposes set forth.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a rail and switch point reciprocatable to and from the rail, a locking rod movable with the switch point, a looking bar movable at an angle'to the path of travel of said rod and interfitting with it to, in one position of the bar, lock the switch point to the rail and in all other positions leave the switch'point'free to move, a crank pin carried by a crank arm journaled adjacent to said bar, means connecting the crank pin to the switch point so that as the crank pin is rotated by the crank arm it reciprocates the switch point, a part on the locking bar engageable by the crank pin only while the crank arm andthe means con necting the crank pin and switch point are in substantial alinement with each other whereby at this portion of the stroke of the crank arm the locking bar is moved by the crank pin for the purposes set forth, and means for operating the crank arm. In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses. V

EUGENE M. ROBINSON. Witnesses:

DWIGHT B. Crrnnvnn, M. S. Rosnnzwmos.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, 'D. G. 

